Modern anatomical locking plates are associated with increased postoperative wound complications and unplanned surgical revisions compared to standard tubular plates in the management of unstable ankle fractures: a comparative cohort study in 595 patients.

Background: The clinical benefit of locking plates in distal fibula fractures has not yet been proven. In addition, the risk of wound complications appears to be higher than with conventional tubular plates. We hypothesize that the benefits of locking plates in terms of biomechanical properties are outweighed by a higher risk of wound complications.